A rededication to growth

Kevin Kranzusch and Lynne Bosworth smile at camera in front of a podium in Olin Hall while wearing formal attire
Kevin Kranzusch and Lynne Bosworth

Transformative support for the next chapter at Olin Hall

More than 60 years after its original dedication, Olin Hall has been renewed—both in form and in purpose. At a spring ribbon-cutting ceremony, university leaders, faculty, students and alumni celebrated the revitalization of key spaces within the building that today serves as a hub for the fast-growing Department of Computer and Data Sciences, as well as members of the Department of Electrical, Computer
and Systems Engineering.

Originally opened in 1962 as the Olin Laboratory for Materials, the building was made possible through a $1.6 million gift from the Olin
Foundation
—then the largest-ever donation to the Case Institute of Technology. The foundation, established by industrialist and philanthropist Franklin W. Olin, funded academic buildings at more than 60 institutions nationwide, including Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University and Harvey Mudd College.

Now, thanks to a new generation of visionaries, Olin Hall has been reimagined again, but this time with vibrant, student-focused spaces that will capitalize on an emerging area of study.

The latest renovation—featuring a redesigned entrance facing the Case Quad, along with updated floors, labs and offices—was completed with the generous support of Kevin Kranzusch (CIT ’90) and his wife, Lynne Bosworth.

“Kevin and Lynne saw an opportunity for the university to become a leader in big data and high-performance computing,” said President Eric W. Kaler. “Together, they have provided transformational support for our faculty, staff and students.”

Over the past six years, the couple has committed a total of $20 million to the Department of Computer and Data Sciences—beginning with an initial $5 million commitment in 2018 to launch the department and establish a professorship for its inaugural department chair, Vipin Chaudhary, PhD. Two years later, an additional $5 million gift created a fellowship to recruit high-potential graduate students as well as two more endowed professorships; at the Olin rededication ceremony, Xiaotian Han, PhD, was named the inaugural Kevin J. Kranzusch Professor I.

In 2024, the couple deepened their commitment with a $10 million gift establishing funds to support faculty innovation, curriculum development, student success and a fourth endowed professorship.

Their philanthropy has powered unprecedented growth: Since spring 2020, the number of undergraduates majoring in computer science or data science has risen by 58%. Today, more than 11% of declared majors across the university are in these fields.

Originally published in the summer 2025 issue of Forward Thinking magazine